N.Y. Dems endorse Gillibrand; faces Long

Conservative Party backs lawyer Wendy Long as a challenger; GOP next up

Associated Press

Associated Press

Published 10:32 pm, Monday, March 19, 2012

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand addresses those gathered during service at Wilborn Temple First Church of God in Christ on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012 in Albany, NY. The service was part of The New York State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators, Inc. weekend. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union)

Gillibrand is running for her first full six-year term and the action by state Democratic committee members was expected. Gillibrand told the crowd she would fight for all New Yorkers.

"I have a goal — we want to make sure all of our voices are being heard," Gillibrand said.

Gillibrand also was endorsed by the liberal Working Families Party as several parties focused on the Senate race Monday.

New York Conservative Party leaders made their choice in Manhattan later Monday.

Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long had spoken in favor of Wendy Long, a New York City attorney who's in a Republican primary with U.S. Rep. Bob Turner and Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos. The Conservative line is considered vital to Republicans running for statewide office in New York. The two Longs aren't related.

Wendy Long said her campaign would "bring people together on the issues that matter the most to New Yorkers, jobs and the economy."

Gillibrand, a former upstate congresswoman, was picked in 2009 to replace Hillary Rodham Clinton, who became secretary of state. Gillibrand won election in 2010 to fill the remainder of the term, which ends this year.

Gillibrand's favorable ratings have nudged up recently and she has raised more than $8 million in a state where Democrats have a two-to-one enrollment advantage over Republicans. The lesser-known candidates seeking to challenge her are expected to face an uphill battle.

Still, Republicans meeting Friday in Rochester for their convention claimed Gillibrand remains vulnerable after three years in the Senate. Republican voters will choose among the three candidates in a June 26 primary vote.